Mining machine



Dec. 1, 1936.

c. F. josGooD MINING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheef 1 Filed Nov. 5, 1954ATTORNEK DEC. 1, Q F OSGOOD 2,062,662

' MINING MACHINE Filed Nov. 5, 19345 2 sheets-sheet 2 Fei@ I INVENTOR.'zarZeJE 00190005.

A TTORNEY.

Patented Dec. 1, 1936 UNITED STATE-1s, PATENT. OFFICE MINING MACHINECharlesF. Osgood, Claremont,- N. H., assignor-to Sullivan MachineryCompany, a. corporationI of Massachusetts Application-.November 5, 1934,Serial No.`i751`,554

29 Claims.

This invention relates to mining-machines, and more-particularly toimprovements in the feeding mechanism of a mining machine of theflexibly fed', continuous cutter, floor cutter type.

An object of-this invention is to provide an improved'y miningA machinefeeding mechanism. Another object is to provide an improved feedingmechanism for'l a mining machine-of `the flexibly fed, continuouscutter, floor-.cutter type wherein relatively rotatable exible memberengaging feeding and guiding members are employed for feeding :andguidingthe machine and having improvedy means for independently drivingsaid membersthroughla wide-range of feeding speeds. A further object isto provide in a mining machine of the .above character: improvedflexible feeding means wherein the feeding and guiding members may bedriven eitherseparately or simultaneously througha wide range of feedingspeeds between zeroy and a predeterminedif maximum` feeding speed'.Afurther object Visfto provideaseparate variableVV speed." drivingdevice for eachfeeding andguiding member whereby said membersmay bedriven separately or simultaneously through a Wide range of feedingVspeeds. Yet'another object is to provide an improvedfdrivingmeans 'forVthe feedingand guiding members Wherebythe latterimayvbe drivenseparately or simultaneously at either; a relatively high speed or arelatively lowzspeedytheilow speed driving means including variablespeed driving devices, one individualto i each member,v wherebyv saidmembers may be driven through a Wide range of low'feeding speeds ibetween zero and a predetermined maximum low f speed. Still anotherobject is to provide improvedfdriving-.means forfthe feeding and guidingmembers whereby the latter may be independently driven through a widerange of low feeding 'speeds between zero and a predetermined maximumlow speed including for-,each member an intermittent, frictional;variable speed driving device through which' it, but` not theothermember, is driven.

These and other objects and-advantages of the` floor cutter? typeparticularly designed to useA in '10" roomV and kpillarf'work, alth'oghitf'will vbe evident that the various-features of thefinvention may beembodied in mining machines of' other types.

The miningl'machine'ldisclosedf herein i's of thesame'generalcharacterasthat describedl inthe 215 patenti toene Morris -P. Holmes, Patent'lNo.y` 1,875,335; granted September' 6, 1932 andl comprises 1' amachine'frame I ofl a 10WA compact design-haw' ing aplane bottomsurfaeeI 2fadaptedto-restupon andl's'lide' in 'any directionvt over'th'elmin'e floor.'

The machine-i`s adapted t'obe propelled bodily over the mine floor'v andguideddu'ring -such 'feed" ing movement by flexible feeding meansincluding advance and .receding exibleffeedingfand guiding elements 3'and ll-y cooperatingrespectively", with'- relatively rotatable-feedingand=='guidin'g` mein-l bers 5fand`f 6 herein? preferably Varrangedin"1coaxial relation on 'transverse' axes AatiA the opposite j sides ofthe -machine-'framein the 'rriannersliown in Fig. 1,` theflexible-feeding and guiding mem-1 30 bers'hereinbeing in the forrn ofseparatecables or' ropesandl thetmembersf- Sand 6 constituting haulagedrums with? which these cables"resp'eo-` tively cooperate? In thisparticularinstarce; `the'- cable 3 iswoundV on thedrurn'l 5inaJdirctiori opposite from ftha't which'the cable 4 'is`=wuduponthe drum6, butas these? drums are driven in opposite directions, thefc'ablesfarebotlidrawn by ipowerf As describe'din the -above mentioned Holmespatent, suitable'gui'ding means arelpro'- 40 i mayfbefdriven by thispowershaft throughth'e" 50 improved*transnriissionE connections, asherein#-vvv afterdes'cribed.- Y

Now referring to the improved transmission" means between the motor andthe haulage'druirfsllY 5 and-F6, it willbe noted 'thal'ffx'edtothe-moto? 55 power shaft 8 is a spur pinion I9 driving through anintermediate gear II a spur gear I2 xed to one end of a horizontaltransmission shaft I3 herein extending longitudinally of the machineframe midway between the sides of the latter. The shaft I3 is suitablyjournaled in the machine frame I and has xed thereto in longitudinallyspaced relation thereon driving worms I4 and I5, the former constitutinga fast speed driving worm and the latter constituting a low speeddriving worm. The high speed worm I4 meshes with a high speed worm wheelI6 having its hub journaled in ball bearings I1, I1 suitably supportedwithin bearing brackets I 8, I 8, suitably mounted within the machineframe. The low speed worm I5 meshes at its opposite sides with wormwheels I9 and 20 arranged on parallel Vertical axes spaced equidistantlyfrom and at opposite sides of the longitudinal center of the machine andlying in a vertical plane extending transversely of the machine andparallel with a vertical plane including the haulage drum axes. As shownin Fig. 3, these worm wheels I9 and 20 are each connectible by low speedmultiple disc clutches 2|, respectively, to parallel vertical shafts 22and 23 suitably journaled at their upper and lower ends within themachine frame. Since the worm wheels I9 and 20 mesh with opposite sidesof the worm I5, the shafts 22 and 23 are rotated in opposite directions.Fixed to these shafts are worms 24 and 25, respectively, having teeth ofthe same lead and inclination and meshing with worm wheels 26 and 21,respectively. These worm wheels 26 and 21 are driven by the Worms 24 and25 in opposite directions and are herein arranged in coaxial relation onaxes alined with the axes of the haulage drums 5 and 6 and the fastspeed worm wheel I6. These worm wheels 26 and 21 are each journaled on abearing 28 and bearing sleeve 29 supported on cylindrical bearingsupports 30 formed integral with and projecting inwardly from thevertical sides of the machine frame. Carried within the hub of the highspeed worm wheel I6 is a bearing 3| in which are journaled the adjacentends of alined transmission shafts 32 and 33, the opposite ends of theseshafts being journaled in bearings 34 supported within the sides of themachine frame. These shafts project laterally from the opposite sides ofthe machine frame andv have fixed thereto and support the haulage drums5 and 6, respectively. Splined to the shafts 32 and 33 are slidingdental clutches 35 and 36 each having teeth engageable with teeth 31formed on the adjacent hub ends of the high speed worm I 6 and teethengageable with teeth 38 formed on the adjacent ilace of the low Aspeedworm wheels 26 and 21, respectively. The operating means for theseclutches 35 and 36 comprise clutch shipper yokes 39 and 40,respectively, xed to parallel longitudinally extending operating rods 4Iand 42 suitably journaled within the top of the machine frame. Fixed tothe outer ends of these operating rods are operating levers 43. It willthus be seen that when the shafts 32, 33 are connected by the clutches35 and 36 to the high speed worm wheel I6 the haulage drums 5 and 6 maybe driven in winding direction at a relatively high speed, and whenthese shafts are connected by the clutches 35 and 36 to the low speedworm Wheels 26 and 21 the haulage drums may be driven in windingdirection at a relatively low speed, it being possible by properactuation of the clutches 35 and 36 to drive the haulage drums inwinding direction either separately or simultaneously at a relativelyhigh speed or a relatively low speed.

Now referring to the improved mechanism for automatically operating thelow speed clutches 2| to vary the driving speeds through the low speedgearing for each haulage drum, it will be noted that Xed to thetransmission shaft I3 is a cam herein having preferably four cam lobes,and engageable with this cam at the opposite sides thereof are springloaded clutch applying and releasing devices generally designated 46 and41, each having adjusting means whereby the time intervals ofapplication and release of the low speed clutches will be varied atwill. As these clutch operating and associated speed varying means forthe low speed clutches are identical in design, a description of theoperating mechanism 46 for the clutch2| of the low speed drive for thehaulage drum 5 will sufiice for both. Engaging the cam 45 is anoperating lever 5D fulcrumed for pivotal movement at 5I on an adjustableeccentric 52 integral with an operating rod 53. This operating rod, asshown in Fig. 5, is rotatably mounted in bearing brackets 54, 54suitably mounted within the machine frame, and has iixed thereto at itsouter extremity a control lever 55 having a suitable friction lock 56.By releasing the lock 56 the lever 55 may be swung to rotate the rod 53,and as a result swinging the eccentric 52 about the rod axis to vary thelocation of the fulcrum point of the lever 56. The lever 56 is pivotallyconnected at 51 to a bifurcated element 58 (see Fig. 4) having formedthereon acylindrical portion 59 and a reduced rod-like portion 60. Thecylindrical portion 59 forms a shoulder 6I. A spring 62 encircling therod-like portion 60 is compressed between a collar 63 abutting anadjusting nut 64 threaded to the rod-like portion 60 and a collar 65slidably mounted on the rod portion and no1'- mally engaging theshoulder 6 I. Slidably mounted on the cylindrical portion 59 is asleeve-like portion 66 of a member 61 having side arms straddling thespring 62 and having a transverse portion 68 traversed by an opening 63within which the outer end of the rod-like portion 60 extends. TheAbifurcated end of the member 61 is pivotally connected at 10 to one armof a bell crank lever 1I xed to a shaft 12 suitably journaled in abearing bracket 13 projecting inwardly from the adjacent side wall ofthe machine frame. The other arm of this bell crank is in the form of ayoke engaging the pressure plate 14 of the disc clutch 2|. As abovementioned, the operating means for the low speed clutch of the low speedgearing for driving the haulage drum 6 is identical to that abovedescribed and includes adjusting means having an adjusting lever 15similar to the operating lever 55 and having similar locking means 16.It will thus be seen that when the parts are in the position shown inFig. 3 and the cam 45 is rotating, the cam lobes thereon periodicallyengaging the lever 56, when in the positions of Fig. 3, and likepositions, effect swinging of the latter, thereby moving the rod portion60 axially' towards the central vertical longitudinal plane of themachine frame, thereby increasing the tension of the springs 62 and,through these springs, the collars 65 and sleeve portions 66 of theelements 61, move the element 61 towards the central, longitudinalvertical plane of the machine, thereby swinging the levers 1| to applyintermittently the disc clutches 2|. By adjusting the proper fulcrumeccentric 52 the position of the fulcrum of either lever 50 may be.;changed. -toxvarythe time intervals.` of application-10i the discclutch. Also bycertainf. adjustment ofthe fulcrum eccentric'tr thelever;

fulcrumazmay-r be so adjusted thattthelever' isat all times held againstthe surfaceiof the cam,` thereby effecting constant application of thedisc clutch 2l,the;springz62 compressingas the cam lobesengage and swingthe lever; the fulcrum eccentric to its extreme opposite position thecam'mayrotate'while the disc clutch 2l is at'all timesireleased, thelever v50 swingingV back and forth as the camlobes engagethev samewithout applyingrthe clutch.fV It will thusbe seen that the low speedgearingfor the haulagel drums maybe driven through-the disc'iclutchesatany desired low feedingspeed between zeroand a predetermined maximumlowlfeedingspeed, the gearing being` driven intermittently. through awide range of low speeds'andY continuously at a maximum: low speed; Itwill also be evident that when the disc clutches 2l are released and thehigh speed wormxwheel I6 is connected to the drum drive shafts 32,v 33by the clutches `35 and 36 the haulagezidrums may be rotated in windingdirection atxa relatively high machine moving or haulage speed; whilewhen the oper-l ating means 46 and 41 are adjustedto effect applicationof the low speed clutches 2i 'and the shafts^32 'and 33 are 4connectedto the lowspeed worm wheels 26 and 21, the drums-may be driven inwinding directionfat a relatively low-feeding speed; and by varying the.time intervals of application of the 'disc clutches 2| the haulagedrumsmay be driven at any desired low feeding speed between zero. and amaximum low feeding speed.l It will further. bev evident that when oneor the other .of the shafts is .connected-to the high speed worm wheeland the other shaft isconnected to a low speed worm wheel, one haulagedrum may be driven at a relatively high speed while the other haulagedrum is simultaneously driven at afrelatively low speed and that byindependent adjustment of the clutch operating means 46 and 41 of thelowfspeed clutches the lowspeed drives forv the drums may beindependently varied.

From the foregoing. description. the mode of operation of theimprovedfeeding mechanism will be clearly apparent, andas the use of aroom and .pillar coal mining machinek of the type disclosed iswell'understood` by those skilled in the art, a detailed description ofthe mode of operation is considered unnecessary other than to state thatthe machine is fed ,over the mine floorby the feeding drum and is guidedduring such feeding movement by the guiding drum under thecomplete-control of the operator through manipulation of the drumcontrolling clutches and the variable speed driving mechanism. By theprovision of the wide range of low feeding speeds between zero and apredetermined maximum for each haulage drum, the feeding means isrendered extremely'flexible, it being possible bysuitable control of thedrums to maneuver the machine in any desired manner. Other uses andadvantages of the improved feeding mechanism will be clearlyapparent tothose skilled in the art.

While there is in this application specifically described one form whichthe invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that thisform of the same is shown for purposes of illustrationr and kthat theinvention may be modified and embodied in various other forms withoutdeparting from its spiritlor thescope of the ap- .'pended.r claims.

By moving:

What Ifclaim.: as new fand; desire .xtoif secure? by.` Letters'Patentis:

1. Inca miningmachine. feedingrmechani'sm;. relatively rotatablevfeeding vandguiding''zrnem'berstadaptedwtoY cooperate respectively withflexible" 5 feeding i. and guiding means; and motor; operated means for.driving said members either separately.; or simultaneously through-awide range. of. lowa` speeds` between .zero and aipredetermined lmaxi-vmum including.- la. separate .variablei'speed trans-z l0 r missionmechanism fon each member;v said transmission mechanisms includingfriction 1 disc*- c1utches,. one individual .'to` each'. member, andmeanscomm'orrito both?transmissiorrmech'anisms i anddriven by Aanelement of the driving .-means 1.5y for intermittently applyingandfreleasingboth ,of said: clutchessat timedy intervals;

2; In a mini-ngi` machine feeding'mechanism", relatively rotatablefeeding and. guiding `members" adapted to cooperaterespectively'with'rexible feeding and guidingsmeans;and-motor operatedrmeans for driving isaid members either fseparatelyf orsimultaneouslyithrough a wide range: of low speeds between zero and'awpredetermined maximum :including a separate variable speedtransmission-.mechanism f orN each member,v saidxtranse missionmechanisms including; Vfriction'.- disc'v clutches, one individual toeach' member, means common= to both transmissionmechanisms:anddriven-.byan" element: of theffadriving means :forA 30 intermittently applying andtreleasingAVV bothr of' said-clutches at timedintervals;and-'associatedV meansffor Varying the intervals of application-i andrelease' of. said'clutches; said latter `meansi-be-fing `independently4adjustable to vary= independ= 135 ently the drive ofsaidfrnembers:`

3. In a mining-1 machine feeding mechanism;k relativelyrotatable-.feeding and guiding members adapted .to cooperateYrespectively with r flexible feeding .an'dguidingfmeans and Amotoroperated .40a

feeding and guiding .,means, and'rnotoroperatedi55:

means lfor driving said-'members either separately; or simultaneously.through a widev range vof low speeds between zero and apredeterminedmaximum including a separatefvariable speed' transmission mechanism foreach member,v said transmission mechanisms including friction discclutches', one-individual to eachmember, a cam driven byan-element ofthe driving means, clutch operating means actuated by said cam forintermittently applying` and releasingl said. `clutches at timedintervals, and means associated with said clutch operating means forYvarying the intervals ofy'application and release of said clutches,vsaid latter' means being independently adjustable tol vary independently"the drive of said members.

5. In a mining-machine feeding mechanism,l relativelyrotatable feedingand guiding members adapted Vto cooperate respectively withflexiblefeeding I'and vguiding means, and motor operated meansLfndrivingsaid members either separately '755,

or simultaneously through a wide range of low intermittent speedsbetween Zero and. a predetermined maximum low speed and at a continuousmaximum low speed including a variable speed transmission mechanism foreach member through which it, but not the other member, is driven, eachtransmission mechanism including a variable speed intermittent andcontinuous transmission device and means common to both transmissionmechanisms and driven by an element of the driving means for actuatingsaid transmission devices.

6. In a mining machine feeding mechanism, relatively rotatable feedingand guiding members adapted to cooperate respectively with flexiblefeeding and guiding means, and motor operated means for driving saidmembers either separately or simultaneously through a wide range of lowspeeds between zero and a predetermined maximum low speed including avariable speed transmission mechanism for each member through which it,but not the other member, is driven, said transmission mechanisms;including friction disc clutches, one individual to each member and acam driven by an element of the driving means for intermittentlyapplying and releasing said clutches at timed intervals.

7. In a mining machine feeding mechanism, relatively ro-tatable feedingand guiding members adapted to cooperate respectively with flexiblefeeding and guiding means, and motor operated means for driving saidmembers either separately or simultaneously through a wide range of lowSpeeds between Zero and a predetermined maximum low speed including avariable speed transmission mechanism for each member through which it,but not the other member, is driven, each of said transmissionmechanisms including a clutch and means driven by an element of thedriving means for intermittently applying and releasing said clutch attimed intervals and a cam common to the actuation of both clutchapplying and releasing means.

8. In a mining machine feeding mechanism, relatively rotatable feedingand guiding members adapted to cooperate respectively with flexiblefeeding and guiding means, and motor operated means for independentlydriving said members through a wide range of low intermittent speedsbetween Zero and a predetermined maximum .low speed including drivenelements, one in the drive for each member, and driving means for saiddriven elements including frictional control clutches, one forcontrolling the drive of each driven element, and mechanism actuated byan element of said driving means common to both clutches forautomatically applying and releasing said clutches at timed intervalsincluding yieldable clutch shipper mechanisms for said clutchesrespectively, said shipper mechanisms yieldable upon overload of saidclutches to permit clutch slippage, and independently adjustable meansadjustable at will during driving of said driven elements for increasingor decreasing the length of said intervals of application and release ofsaid clutches to vary the driven speeds of said driven elements.

9. In a mining machine feeding mechanism, relatively rotatable feedingand guiding members adapted to cooperate respectively with flexiblefeeding and guiding means, and motor operated means for independentlydriving said members through a wide range of low intermittent speedsbetween Zero and a predetermined maximum low speed including drivenelements, one

in the drive for each member, and mechanism for driving said drivenelements including a motor, and means for automatically intermittentlyconnecting said driven elements independently in driving relation withsaid motor, said last mentionedmeans including a yieldable springloaded-connection for the automatic connecting means for each drivenelement and actuated by said motor through means common to bothconnecting means for automatically effecting such automatic connectionat timed intervals, said yieldable connections adapted to yield uponoverloading of said driven elements.

l0. In a mining machine feeding mechanism, relatively rotatable feedingand guiding members adapted to cooperate respectively with flexiblefeeding and guiding means, and motor operated means for independentlydriving said members through a wide range of low intermittent speedsbetween zero and a predetermined maximum low speed including drivenelements, one in the drive for each member, and driving means for saiddriven elements including'driving elements arranged coaxially with androtatable relative to said driven elements respectively, clutches forconnecting said driven elements respectively in driving relation withsaid driving elements, and means for intermittently effecting andinterrupting drive between said driving and driven elements includingmeans for automatically intermittently applying and releasing saidclutches, said clutch applying and releasing means including a cammember, pivoted clutch shipper members actuated by said cam member, oneclutch shipper member for each clutch, and independently adjustablemeans adjustable at will during drive of said driven elements foraltering the action of said cam member on said clutch shipper members,said adjustable means being independently adjustable for effectingindependent Variable speed drive of said driven elements.

il. In a mining machine feeding mechanism, relatively rotatable feedingand guiding members adapted to cooperate respectively with flexiblefeeding and guiding means, and motor operated means for independentlydriving said members through a wide range of vlow intermittent speedsbetween zero and a predetermined maximum low speed including drivenelements, one in the drive for each member, and driving means for saiddriven elements including driving elements arranged coaxially with androtatable relative to said driven elements respectively, clutches forconnecting said driven elements respectively in driving relation withsaid driving members of pressure application thereby adapted to yieldupon overload of said clutches.

l2. In a mining machine feeding mechanism, relatively rotatable feedingand guiding members adapted to cooperate respectively with flexiblefeeding and guiding means, and motor operated means for independentlydriving said members through a wide range of low intermittent Cil Vforsaid driven elements speeds betweenzero and a predetermined' maximum lowspeedA -including driven elements, one in the drive for each member, anddriving means including friction clutches, one in the drive for veachAmember, through which power is transmitted toeiect drive of said drivenelements,-loading meansfor' said clutches including anadjustableconnection foreach clutch, said connections embodyingindependent adjusting means f adjustable at will during driving of lsaiddriven elements, and

means actuated by an element of said'driving tent speeds between'zeroanda predetermined Mmaximum low speed-including driven elements,

one-inthe drive for each memberyand Vdriving means for said `drivenelements including fric-` tion clutches, one in the drive for eachdriven element,-and through which power is transmitted to effect driveof said driven elements, loading means forsaid clutches including anadjustable connection 'for each clutch, motor driven means common-toboth clutch loading means for actuating said adjustable connections foryintermittently loading said clutches to cause intermittent operation ofsaid driven elements-and means operable at will during driving of saiddriven-elements for 'independently adjusting said connections to causevariable intermittent operation of said drivenelements, said lattermeans being independently adjustable to eifect independent variablespeed drive of 'said driven elements. n

14. In a miningV machine feeding mechanism, relatively rotatable feedingand guiding members adapted to cooperate respectively with flexiblefeeding and guiding means, and motor operated Y-nieans for independentlydriving said members througha wide range of *low intermittent speedsbetween zeroand a gpredetermined'maximum low speed including a drivingelement, -driven elements, one in the drive for each member, clutchesfor connecting said driven elements respectively in driving relationwith said driving element, and meansfor intermittently applying andreleasing said clutches at timed intervals to effect intermittent driveof said drivenA elements 'including a continuously rotating cam meansdriven bysaid driving element, rods, one individual to each clutch,actuated by said cam means,^'andyie1dablev clutch loading 'means foreach clutch, said vyieldable clutch loading means actuated by--said rodsrespectively, said clutch loading means `adapted to yield upon-overloadof said clutches.

l5. In a mining machine feeding mechanism, relatively rotatable feedingand guidingmembers adapted to cooperate respectively withiiexiblefeeding and'guiding'means, andmotor operated means for independentlydriving said members through a widerange' of` low intermittentspeedsbetweenzero and a predetermined maximumflow speed including adriving element, driven elements, `one in-the drive for each member,clutches for connecting said driven Aelements 'respectively' in Idriving relation-with said driving element, and *means* for iintermittently `-applying and releasing said clutches at `timedintervals to effect yintermittei'it drive --of said driven elementsincluding acontinuously-rotat- "ing cam-means driven' bysaid'drivingfelement,

rods, one individual to `eachclutch, actuatedV by said" cam means,yieldableclutch "loading ymeans Yfor each clutch, saidyieldable-"clutch'loading v means actuated by" saidrddsrespectivelyysaid clutch loadingmeans adapted to yield *uponoverload of 1 said clutches,j Jand independently adjustablemeansfor-respectively varying the lintervals of applicationandrelease-ofsaidclutches to vary the-driven` speed of said driven elements, said-adjustablevmeans being= independently adjustable whereby one of saidVdriven 'elements may'be driven'at a speed relativelyi'diiferent `fromthe driven-speed of" said other driven element.

16. In aE mining machine-feeding`mechanism,'

relatively rotatable 'feeding andl guiding mem- -bers adapted tocooperate respectively with exiblevfeeding and guiding means,an'dmo-tor` operated means lfor independently driving said membersthrough aV wide range of'low'inter'mit#- 'tent speeds between `zero anda predetermined -maXimumlow-speed `including adriving element,

driven-elements, one in thedrive for ea'chsmember, Land v'drivingconnectionsL between said driving and driven elements including"'-frictional' transmission devices, one in'thedriveffor 'each drivenelement, and -means'actuated by an ele ment of said drivingconnectionsfor' automatically intermittently 'loa'dng and'- unloading saidfrictional transmission devices to f* effectiintermittent variablelspeed drive of saidv driven elements, said automatic meansincluding-aro- 'tatablecam, elements actuated therebyfindeand driven elementsincluding friction .'c1utches,-

one clutch in -the'drive for each'driven element, means actuatedby acommonelement of said driving connections "for automatically loading andunloadingsaid 'clutches at 1v predetermined timed 'intervals to effect'intermittentdrive of said driven elements,`said automaticclutch-"loading means includingk yielding clutchloading connections forsaid clutches respectively," through which the `loading .pressures of'said loading means are yieldingly transmitted to said clutches, andmeans for each :clutch 'operable at 'will while said driving connectionsareinimotionfor varying the extent of 'the times .of '.clutclrloading,said latter meansv being independently adjustable to effect independentvariable speed vdrive of sai'ddriven elements.

18. VIn a mining machine 'feedingimechanism, relatively rotatablefeeding and guidingj members -adaptedtof-'co'c'iperaterespectivelywithfflexibletfeeding rand'iguiding" meansand' motoroperated means for independently driving said members through a widerange of low intermittent speeds between zero and a predeterminedmaximum low speed including a driving element, driven elements, one inthe drive for each member, and driving connections between said drivingand driven elements including frictional transmission devices, onedevice in the drive for each driven element, and means actuated by acommon element of said driving connections for automatically applyingand releasing said frictional devices to effect intermittent variablespeed drive of said driven elements including spring loaded actuatingmembers through which the clutch loading pressures are variablytransmitted to said frictional devices, and independently adjustablemeans for varying the tension of the springs of said actuating members,said frictional devices being applied through said actuating members bythe springs thereof.

19. In a mining machine feeding mechanism, relatively rotatable feedingand guiding members adapted to cooperate respectively with flexiblefeeding and guiding means, and motor operated means for independentlydriving said members through a wide range of low intermittent speedsbetween zero and a predetermined maximum low speed or at a continuousmaximum low speed including a driving element, driven elements, one inthe drive for each member, and driving connections between said drivingand driven elements including friction clutches, one clutch in the drivefor each driven element, and for loading said friction clutches forapplying different loading pressures to the clutches including meansacting automatically during the operation of the driving connections andincluding an actuating element common to both clutch loading means forintermittently relieving the loading pressures applied to the clutchesto provide for variable operation of the driven elements, said clutchloading means embodying means for applying loading pressures such thateven when the loading pressures are reduced by said automatically actingmeans the clutches are held applied to provide for continuous operationof the driven elements.

20. In a mining machine feeding mechanism, relatively rotatable feedingand guiding members adapted to cooperate respectively with flexiblefeeding and guiding means, and motor operated means for independentlydriving said members through a wide range of low interrnittent speedsbetween zero and a predetermined maximum low speed including a drivingelement,

driven elements, one in the drive for each member, driving connectionsbetween said driving and driven elements including friction clutches,one in the drive for each driven element, and means for loading thefriction clutches for applying different loading pressures to theclutches including means acting automatically during the operation ofthe driving connections and including an actuating element common toboth clutch loading means for intermittently relieving the loadingpressures applied to the clutches to provide for variable operation ofthe driven elements, said clutch `loading means including resilientelements for saidv clutches respectively, and means for variablytensioning the same, and said automatically acting means embodying meansto relieve intermittently the tension of said resilient elements.

21. In a mining machine feeding mechanism, relatively rotatable feedingand guiding members adapted to cooperate respectively with flexiblefeeding and guiding means, and motor operated means for independentlydriving said members through a wide range of low intermittent speedsbetween zero and a predetermined maximum low speed including a drivingelement, driven elements, one in the drive for each member, and drivingconnections between said driving and driven elements including frictionclutches, one in the drive for each driven element, and `means forloading said friction clutches for applying different loading pressuresto the clutches, said last mentioned means including means actingautomatically during the operation of the driving connections forintermittently relieving the loading pressures applied to the clutchesto provide for variable operation of the driven elements, said clutchloading means including resilient elements for said clutchesrespectively, means for variably tensioning the same, and saidautomatically acting means embodying means to relieve intermittently thetension of said resilient elements, elements adapted to be manuallyadjusted to determine the tensioning of said resilient elements, andmeans common to both clutch loading means for intermittently causingsaid adjustable elements to relieve the tension of said resilientelements.

22. In a mining machine feeding mechanism, relatively rotatable feedingand guiding members adapted to cooperate respectively with flexiblefeeding and guiding means, and motor operated means for independentlydriving said members through a wide range of low intermittent speedsbetween zero and a predetermined maximum low speed including a drivingelement, driven elements, one in the drive for each member, and drivingconnections between said driving and driven elements including frictionclutches, one clutch in the drive for each driven element, and means forloading the friction clutches for applying different loading pressuresto the clutches, said last mentioned means including means actingautomatically during the operation of the driving connections forintermittently relieving the loading pressures applied to the clutchesto provide for variable operation of the driven elements, said clutchloading means including resilient elements for said clutchesrespectively, means for Variably tensioning said resilient elements,said automatically acting means embodying means to relieveintermittently the tension of said resilient elements, said resilientelement tensioning means being tensioned by means of levers respectivelyconnected thereto, manual means provided for shifting the fulcrums ofsaid levers to vary the tensioning of said resilient elements, and meansfor intermittently actuating said levers operative periodically torelieve the tension of said resilient elements and comprising rotatablecam means common to both.

23, In a mining machine feeding mechanism, relatively rotatable feedingand guiding members adapted to cooperate respectively with ilexiblefeeding and guiding means, and motor operated means for independentlydriving said members through a wide range of low intermittent speedsbetween zero and a predetermined maximum low speed or at a continuousmaximum low speed including a driving element, driven elements, one inthe drive for each member, driving connections between said drivenelements respectively, and said driving element insufficient to effectselective intermittent or continuous drive of said driven elements.

24. In a mining machine feeding mechanism, relatively rotatable feedingand guiding members adapted to cooperate respectively with flexiblefeeding and guiding means, and motor operated means for independentlydriving said members through a wide range of low intermittent speedsbetween zero `and a predetermined maximum low speed including a drivingelement, driven elements, one in the drive for each member, and drivingconnections between said driving and driven elements including frictionclutches, one in the drive for each driven element, loading means forsaid clutches including yielding connections for said clutchesrespectively through which the clutch loading pressures are yieldinglytransmitted to effect variable drive of said driven elements including acam, levers arranged for actuation by said cam and operatively connectedto said yielding clutch loading connections respectively, andindependently adjustable means for independently shifting the fulcrumsof said levers to vary the range of actuation thereof.

25. In a mining machine feeding mechanism, relatively rotatable feedingand guiding members adapted to cooperate respectively with flexiblefeeding and guiding means, and motor operated means for independentlydriving said members through a wide range of low intermittent speedsbetween zero an-d a predetermined maximum or at a constant maximum lowspeed including a driving element, driven elements, one in the drive foreach member, and driving connections between said driving and drivenelements including friction clutches, one in the drive for each drivenelement, loading means for said clutches including yielding connectionsfor said clutches respectively through which the clutch loadingpressures are yieldingly transmitted to effect clutch loading, and meansfor variably tensioning said yielding clutch loading connectionsvariably to load said clutches to effect variable drive of said drivenelements including a cam, levers arranged for actuation by said cam andoperatively connected to said yielding clutch loading connectionsrespectively, and independently adjustable means for shifting thefulcrums of sai-d levers to vary independently the range of actuationthereof, said shifting means including means providing a range ofadjustment permitting constant tensioning of said yielding connections.

26. In a mining machine feeding mechanism, relatively rotatable feedingand guiding members adapted to cooperate respectively -With flexiblefeeding an-d guiding means, and motor operated means for independentlydriving said members through a wide range of low intermittent speedsincluding a driving element, driven elements, one in the drive for eachmember, and driving connections `between said driven an-d drivingelements including friction clutches, one clutch in the drive for eachdriven element, loading means for said clutches respectively, eachincluding the yieldingv clutch loading spring connectionthrough whichthe clutchloading pressure is transmitted toyeffect clutch loading, andindependently adjustable --means for selectively intermittently orcontinuously tensioning'said yielding clutch loading connections to loadsaidclutches to an extent the drive for each member, friction clutches,one' clutch in the drive foreach driven element, each friction clutchcomprising elements fixed as regards relative rotation with respect tosaid driving and driven elements respectively, and means operative toprovide non-slip engagement between said clutch elements during no partof each complete revolution of the clutch elements which are fixedrelative to the driving elements, during a selective fraction of eachrevolution of said clutch elements, or during a complete revolution ofsaid clutch elements, selectively at will, including spring-loadedelements, one for each clutch,V

clutch loading elements engageable by the latter elements and operativewhen adequately pressed by the latter elements to effect clutch loading,meanscommon to both clutches for actuating said clutch` loadingelements, and means for providing for such non-slip engagementthrough-out any desired portion of a revolution of the clutch elementsfixed as regards rotation with respect'to said driving elements.

28. In a mining machine feeding mechanism,l

relatively rotatable feeding and guiding members adapted to cooperaterespectively with flexible feeding and `guiding means, and motoroperated means for independently driving said members through a widerange of low intermittent speeds between Zero and a predeterminedmaximum low speed including driving elements, driven elements, one inthe drive for each member, friction clutches for connecting said drivenelements in driving relation with said driving elements respectively,and means for intermittently variably applying and releasing saidclutches to effect intermittent variable speed drive of said drivenelements including a cam having a face of fixed contour, yieldableclutch applying connections, and means engageable with the cam face foractuating said yieldable clutch applying connections and embodyingindependently. adjustable means for varying the range of actuation ofsaid yieldable connections to vary the intervals of application andrelease of said clutches.

29. In a mining machine feeding mechanism, relatively rotatable feedingand guiding members adaptedto cooperate respectively with flexiblefeeding and guiding means, and motor operated means for independentlydriving said members through a wide range of l-ow intermittent speedsbetween zero and a predetermined maximum low speed including drivingelements, driven elements, one in the drive for each member, frictionclutches for connecting said driven elements in driving relation withsaid driving elements respectively, and means for intermittentlyvariably applying and releasing said clutches to effect intermittentvariable speed drive of said driven elements including a cam having aface of xed contour, yieldable clutch applying connections, and meansengageable with the cam face for actuating said yieldable clutchapplying connections and embodying independently adjustable meansoperable at will While said driving elementsl are in motion for varyingthe range of actuation of said yieldable connections to vary theintervals of application and release of said clutches.

CHARLES F. OSGOOD.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. 2,062,662. December 1, 1956.

CHARLES F. OSGOOD.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specificationof the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: `Page 6,first column, line 34,. claim 19, after the Word "and" insert means; andthat the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction thereinthat the same may conform to the record of the case in the PatentOffice.

Signed and sealed this 5th day of October, A. D. 1937.

Henry Van Arsdale (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents.

